120 fifteen-year-olds from schools across the UK recently took over a chemistry lab at Cambridge to conduct universitylevel experiments and explore their interest in the subject.
120 fifteen-year-olds from schools across the UK recently took over a chemistry lab at Cambridge to conduct universitylevel experiments and explore their interest in the subject.
“ ֱ̽lab is much bigger than at school ... and we get to use more dangerous chemicals"
Kate Southam, a student at the Appleton School in Benfleet (Essex)
Now in their eighth year at Cambridge, are two-day subject-taster residentials which enable students to experience the fun of chemistry and motivate them to develop a long-term interest in the subject.
ֱ̽prestigious annual event is sponsored by ֱ̽Salters’ Institute, ֱ̽Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, the Institute of Chemical Engineers, ֱ̽Royal Society, ֱ̽Royal Society of Chemistry and the ֱ̽.
This year, students were invited to tackle several challenging experiments to unlock the mysteries of chemiluminescence, molecular bonds, melting points and oscillating reactions, the process that gives tigers their stripes.
Participants got their hands on state-of-the-art equipment and were expected to work in much the same way as first-year chemistry undergraduates.
After showing a group of students how an infrared spectrometer works, Joe Ciardello, a third-year PhD student at Cambridge, said
“I didn’t get an opportunity like this when I was at school -I wish I had. It’s great to see people getting so excited about chemistry. This is my third Salters’ Camp and I’m always impressed by how engaged the students are, their efficiency and how they grow in confidence.”
Raiyyan Ismail, a student from King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Birmingham,said
“At school, we’re normally all doing the same experiment but there are lots of things going on here and you have to work things out for yourself. I was surprised by how quickly I got the hang of using the equipment. Earlier we made a clock using chemical reactions and later, we’re working on the chemistry of paint, which sounds really interesting.”
Kate Southam, a student at ֱ̽Appleton School in Benfleetsaid
“ ֱ̽lab is much bigger than at school. It’s nice to work with people from other schools and we get to use more dangerous chemicals here,and really expensive equipment.”
At the end of an action-packed session in the lab, the Campers enjoy a varied social programme including opportunities to explore other parts of the ֱ̽ and town.
Salters’ Camps will be held at six universities throughout the UK this year. ֱ̽first Camps were held in 1998, since when around 9,500 students have taken part. Each Camp hosts fifty or sixty 15-year-olds from a variety of schools across the country.
ֱ̽Salters’ Company is one of the Great Twelve City of London Livery Companies and was founded in 1394 to regulate and represent the medieval trade in salt. ֱ̽Company’s activities today are centred on charitable and educational giving.
ֱ̽Company'sflagship charity,(est. 1918) promotesthe appreciation of chemistry and related sciences amongyoung people and encourages careers in the teaching of chemistry and in the UK chemical and allied industries.
Cambridgeis committed to widening participation both at the ֱ̽ itself and in higher education more generally. In 2013-14, the collegiate ֱ̽ delivered 4,000 access events which led to almost 200,000 interactions with young people and their teachers. For more information, visit
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